After fresh Russian strikes on Ukrainian energy infrastructure, power outages have occurred in four regions. The state grid operator Ukrenergo announced this on Facebook on Thursday morning, as reported by Ukrinform. According to the report, the regions of Donetsk, Kharkiv, Sumy and Zaporizhzhia are affected. “Emergency and restoration work is already under way wherever the security situation currently allows,” Ukrinform quoted the operator as saying.
According to Ukrenergo, mandatory power limits for industry apply all day in several regions, along with hourly shutdown schedules for all consumer categories – with a scope of up to three stages. In parts of the capital Kyiv and the Kyiv region, emergency shutdowns were imposed because of a voltage drop in the high-voltage grid. The previously announced hourly shutdown schedules are not in force for the time being. The return to scheduled power cuts is to come only once the situation in the energy system has stabilised.
Morning consumption 5.5 per cent below previous day’s level
Electricity consumption at 09:30 local time on Thursday was 5.5 per cent below the previous day’s level. Ukrenergo cited the increase in forced shutdowns in several regions as the reason. The grid operator recommended shifting the operation of high-power electrical appliances to the period between 11:00 and 15:00, when industrial solar installations work most efficiently. Between 17:00 and 22:00, heavy consumers should if possible not be switched on at the same time.
Ukrenergo also pointed out that the situation in the energy system could change because of further Russian strikes. People should follow the notices on the websites and official social media pages of their respective distribution grid operator. Emergency shutdowns as a result of Russian strikes had already been reported from individual regions of Ukraine.
What the restrictions mean for everyday life
The hourly shutdown schedules affect all consumer categories, while power limits apply to industry. In the affected areas, people must expect temporary power shortages – with consequences for heating, water supply, internet and card payments. Power limits apply to industry. In Kyiv and the Kyiv region, short-notice emergency shutdowns replace the announced schedules, making them harder for those affected to predict.
Ukrenergo asks consumers to shift electricity consumption to the midday hours and reduce it in the evening. Such appeals are also aimed at businesses that can reschedule production. The operator left open how long the restrictions will last. According to its statements, what matters is when the voltage in the high-voltage grid is stable again and the damaged facilities can be repaired.
The renewed strikes on energy infrastructure are putting Ukraine under pressure at the start of the cold season. Emergency shutdowns as a result of Russian strikes had already been reported from individual regions of Ukraine. The Ukrainian government and the operators are trying to keep the grid stable with repairs and consumption management. For people, this above all means one thing: less predictable security in everyday life.
